l, l'he invention is concerned .with the treatment. of sinusitis, and .more particularly with the provisionof an antral pressure device which is insertable into andinflatable within a sinus to progressively restore normal conditions there Sinusitis, whether allergic or bacterial, involves an abnormal condition of the mucous membrane lining a sinus,- Relief can be had only by such treatment as will tendto restore the lining to normal. It has been" found that by means of the present invention, pressure may be applied 'interiorly of a sinus to tend gradually to facilitate molecular difi'usion andlymph flow, and hence lead to greatly improved conditions, and in many cases to a completerestoration to normal.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device comprising a catheter having an inflatablev or distensible -bag thereon, such bag being insertable into a sinus preliminary to inflation to exert a desired and controllable pressure therein v 'Another: object ofthe invention is to provide a device of the class described which includes a self retaining head whereby the device is retained in position whether it be inflated or deflated.

Still another object is the provision of a self retaining head which is deformable by traction and/or manipulation, but which assumes a predetermined form when in normal use.

A further object is to provide a device in which the self retaining head has a central bore forming a continuation of the bore of the catheter, but terminating in transverse passages proximate its end whereby an applicator may be inserted into the central bore so that traction on the catheter axially thereof will effect desired deformation or extension of the head to permit insertion through an opening and into a sinus.

Still another object is to provide a device of 2 Claims. (01. 128-344) 2 Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the device. V

In Fig. 1, there is shown in dotted outline the general configuration of the maxillary bone having the maxillary sinus Z therein.v This sinus has a natural opening 3 leading into the nasal passage. In. sinusitis, the mucous membrane (not shown) lining the sinus 2 becomes congested, and the passage or opening 3 becomes partially or wholly closed, thus augmenting the congested condition theretofore existing. I have found that by providing withi the sinus 2, an artificial polypus, or pressure device, generally shown at 4, a condition is created which leads to enhanced molecular difiusion and lymph flow.

, and hence to relief from the sinusitis.

the class described which may, over a period of 'In' the use of-the device 6 it is intended that maxillary bone, or other bone within which the sinus is formed, to permit the insertion of the device now to be described.

The device 4 comprises a catheter or tube It which terminates at its upper end in, the self retaining head II which is surrounded by a bag or membrane I2 of thin flexible material such as rubben'or the like.

In one manner of forming the device, the catheter ID, the head II, and bag I2 are separate parts which are interfit, and which are bound into a unitary structure as by means of a fine strand of material I3 such as a fine cotton thread. It is to be understood, of course, that the elements I0, II and I2 may be formed as a unitary structure, each of such elements being made of a soft flexible material such as rubber, and it being intended that the bag I2 shall be inflatable to any extent necessary for use in the purpose for which intended.

The bore I3 within the catheter I0 is coextensive with the central bore M which terminates at I5 proximate the upper end of the head II. The bore M communicates with transverse passage I6 within the head II, itbeing intended that fluid introduced through the catheter bore i3 shall pass outwardly into the bag I2, and thence effect inflation therof after the device has been placed within the sinus 2.

The use of the device thus far described is believed apparent, but by way of summary it will be noted that initially the opening 5 is formed to provide an entrance for the device to the interior of the sinus 2. An applicator (not shown) in the form of a fine blunt rod is then inserted into the bore [3 and into engagement with the end or abutment I5 in the bore of the head II.

Traction is then effected between such applicator and the catheter whereby the head H is elongated within the bag I2 upon which a suitable lubricant has been placed. The bag and head are then inserted through the opening 5 to the position shown in Fig. 1. The applicator is then withdrawn whereupon the head H assumes the general form shown. There is sufiicient inherent rigidity in the head that the head II and bag I2 are retained within the sinus 2 unless afiirmative steps are taken to remove the device therefrom.

After the operation just described has been completed, a quantity of fluid, preferably liquid having a high specific gravity, such as iodized oil, is introduced into the catheter H] at such a pressure as to effect limited inflation of the bag l2. When sufficient fluid has been injected for a given period of treatment, the end of the catheter I0 is closed off in a suitable manner such as by tying as shown at 11.

It is to be understood that, for example, where the device is introduced through the nasal passage, the catheter I0 will be sufiiciently short that there will be no protrusion thereof from the nasal opening.

It is also pointed out that treatment in accordance with the invention extends over a considerable period of time and that additional liquid may be added through the catheter IE1 at intervals to conform with changing conditions and resulting requirements of treatment. Alternately, in event of distress requiring relief in the absence of a physician, the lower portion of the catheter may be severed to relieve pressure fora period of time preliminary to resumption of treatment.

It is to be understood that while a specific structure has been described and explained above, such structure and technique are illustrative only as the invention broadly comprehends an antral pressures device which is insertable into and inflatable within a sinus to progressively restore conditions therein to normal.

The invention claimed is:

1. An antral pressure device comprising, a catheter tube, a head thereon having a passage therein communicating with the bore of the tube and terminating within the head to form an abutment in the passage within the head, whereby said head is axially extensible from traction upon the catheter when a rigid applicator is placed within the bore of the tube and into engagement with said abutment, a transverse passage in the head communicating with the bore of the tube and the periphery of the head and a distensible bag surrounding said head and secured to the catheter tube proximate the head.

2. An antral pressure device including a tube and a head thereon, the bore within the tube and head terminating proximate to outermost surface of the head so that the head is axially extensible and radially contractable from axial traction thereon for passage through an opening of the approximate transverse cross section of that of the tube, a transverse passage in the head communicating with the bore therein, and

F an inflatable bag surrounding the head and sealably attached to the tube inwardly from the head, said head being retractile axially and expansile radially upon release of axial traction thereon, whereby the device is self-retaining in position at one side of the opening and the bag is inflatable within the space in which the device is retained.

JEHU M. ROBISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: